Customer Reviews

Forbidden Animation: Censored Cartoons and Blacklisted Animators in America

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I enjoyed "Forbidden Animation". I am a huge fan of animation history, and I am happy that books about the political censoring of animation in the past and present are finally being produced. Karl Cohen should be commended for his thorough research of the subject, he definetly tried his hardest to bring an objectional perspective to the recorded documents involving the censoring of cartoons and animators. The books only real downfall is its lack of images-I'm not someone who has to have pictures, but when art and animation is the subject, you understand it more when you have something to look at-. I highly recommend this book to any animation historians out there, as well as people who want a better understanding of cartoons and their makers.

Animation has always been a reflection of popular culture, sometimes on the cutting edge, sometimes just a mainstream reaction. Yet because of the popular idea that animation is "kids stuff," it is sometimes not taken seriously. Cohen tries to shine a light on how animation goes way beyond "kids stuff" and reflects on the social forces that went into the creation of animated shorts and features. Despite being seen as a niche, animation has been subjected to a lot of self imposed rules of what can and cannot be shown, and to a lot of outside forces by both organized efforts such as the Hayes Office and less organized efforts such as popular protests against films like Coonskin or Fritz the Cat.

You do not have to know a lot about animation to enjoy this book. It helps, but most of us have been exposed to a number of the examples cited over the course of growing up. And what is politically incorrect is a moving target, so what was acceptable in one era is wholly out now. We see it even today with the television censorship of violence in classic cartoons.

It's also important to note that despite being seen as a less serious medium that could often get away with more than film, animators were still subject to the same winds of politics as illustrated by the final chapter on blacklisting. Animators were asked to name names to the HUAC, and many did not work in Hollywood again for defying the committee. Until I read this book I had no idea of the breadth of this blacklisting upon animators and it reinforces the shame of this era of our history.

Rather than passing judgment, Cohen uses mostly illustrations to show his point, letting the reader decide how much was/is too much. And he brings this battle of content into the late 20th century with examples of battles over The Simpsons, and Ren and Stimpy. Overall a very fascinating look into an area that is usually glossed over or ignored.

Cohen does a remarkable job illustrating the history of cartoon censorship. From Walt Disney's Song of the South and its questionable portrayal of African American's to the altering of the hemline of Betty Boop's dress, Cohen explores significant and petty reasons for censorship. He also discusses how cartoonists would sometimes censor themselves. A discussion of pre code cartoons, such as the early Betty Boop pictures, is also included. Truly a superb book for anyone interested in cartoon censorship.

While the subject matter is fascinating, the book itself is in serious need of tighter editing. In fact, I got so frustrated with the author's disjointed writing style (it jumps all over the place) that I could only make it through half of the book. Every time I go back to the book to attempt to finish it, I'm quickly reminded why I couldn't finish it in the first place.

I really want to like this book, but its lack of a coherent structure prevents me from recommending it. I have found that other books from this particular publisher (McFarland) would benefit from more aggressive editing.

nic